Newmarket Sculpture of Queen Elizabeth
The Suffolk town of Newmarket has honoured Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth with the gift of a bronze sculpture for her 90th birthday.
The artwork, which was sponsored by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Radhid Al Maktoum, depicts the Queen standing alongside her mare Highclere and foal and was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth herself at a ceremony last week.
Highclere landed the monarch her second fillies’ classic when winning the 1974 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. After claiming the French Oaks at Chantilly in the same season, she was retired to stud, becoming an outstanding broodmare. The piece is officially a gift from the Suffolk town, often referred to as the headquarters of British racing. Rachel Hood, former Mayor of Newmarket, said: “It’s well known that the Queen has a special relationship with horses and horse racing, and Newmarket wanted to celebrate that.”
The 120 per cent life-sized statue is situated at the gateway to the town on Birdcage Walk and was the joint work of artist Charlie Langton, who sculpted the mare and foal, and Etienne Millner, who depicted the Queen. “The Queen does so much for horse racing and breeding,” said Mr Langton. “The sport is incredibly lucky to have her so involved, not out of duty but out of genuine love and passion for the thoroughbred horse.”
After unveiling the sculpture, the Queen was shown around the grounds of the National Heritage Centre and watched jockey Pat Cosgrave try out a racehorse simulator before visiting the centre’s gift shop.
